Students and staff at Newbury College welcomed former Team GB Sprinter, Mark Richardson, to officially open its new gym and wellbeing facility on Thursday 17 May 2018.
Councillor David Fenn, Mayor of Newbury, joined the Berkshire based athlete to formally cut the ribbon on the new facility, which is supported by Sport England.
Newbury College Sport Maker, Louise Neil, said, This new facility has been created to provide all students with the opportunity to participate in physical fitness and wellbeing activities that complement the already extensive programme of sports-based activities we offer through the college enrichment programme.
Following the official opening of the gym, Mark Richardson gave students an inspirational talk and presentation about his athletic career and achievements. Richardson, along with his teammates Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch and Roger Black, set a world record for the 4 x 400m relay during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and has achieved an impressive two gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals across different solo and team events throughout his career.
Newbury College hopes that the new facility, which has had specially adapted and accessible equipment installed, will be very popular with students of all abilities, engaging both mainstream and high needs students in improving their wellbeing through physical activity.
Do you want to know what it's like working at Newbury College?
Newbury College Sports Maker, Louise Neil, was recently interviewed for a feature on the Association of Colleges Jobs website aocjobs.com.
Louise, who has a degree in Sport Development, was asked about her career progression, from working at Aldershot Town FC and NCS to taking on her current role at Newbury College. She also spoke about the personal skills and attributes that someone needs to work in a similar career, including some of the memorable and challenging moments she has sometimes faced delivering such a wide range of enrichment activities at the college.
"The variation in my role, the freedom to engage with everyone and a very friendly college with a great community." were just a few of the many positives that Louise highlighted in her interview, as well as the recent LGBT pride events and educational visits.
Newbury College art student Finn Swift won the Young Persons' prize for an Open Exhibition, entitled The Four Seasons, at Southampton City Art Gallery.
Finn was one of many artists who submitted their work as part of the gallery's biennial open submission exhibition. The gallery invited artists in the South of England to take inspiration from the changing nature of the seasons. Newbury College art and design course leaders set the exhibition brief as an assignment for the students to complete towards their Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design. Course leader Jacky Purtill and student Evelyn Pritchett also had work displayed at the exhibition.
Finn's winning artwork was an intricate 3D printed model of trees and vines entitled Seasons'. The gallery wrote to Finn describing his work as a fine, complex, intriguing and beautiful sculpture'. His prize was a 12 month subscription to the National Art Pass, giving Finn free access to over 240 museums, galleries and historic houses.
I was shocked but very pleased to discover I had won, said Finn. I enjoy working in this media and like how much detail you can incorporate into the design. The lecturers at College were very good at encouraging and supporting me once I'd generated the idea and I was also happy to receive a distinction for this project as part of my course.
We are very proud of Finn, said Sarah Whittham, art and design course leader at Newbury College. It is such an achievement for him to be awarded first prize in such a prestigious gallery.
The exhibition is open at Southampton City Art Gallery until 21 April, Monday to Friday 10am-3pm, Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. Click here for more information visit.
Newbury College offers full-time Art and Design courses from Level 2 to Higher National Diploma and many part-time painting and drawing leisure courses. To find out more, visit its Open Event on Saturday 12 May 10am to 1pm.
As parents of teenagers at secondary school, you may have already heard about the government's proposal to change the current vocational education system and introduce new T-level qualifications from 2020. You may also be wondering why the change was recommended and what impact it will have on your son or daughter when they go to a further education college?
In our handy guide for parents, we explain everything you need to know about the new qualifications and how they aim to increase your child's skills and employability.
What are T-levels?
Alongside apprenticeships and A-levels, T-levels will become one of the three main options for school leavers. T-levels are being introduced in the 2020/2021 academic year, and are designed to replace many of the vocational qualifications currently offered at level 3.
In a new two-year, level 3 technical study programme, T-levels will offer students:
Specific practical skills and knowledge in a chosen industry or occupation
45 days' work placement at a relevant employer
Core English, Maths and digital skills
Within the programmes, students can choose the occupational specialisms they wish to focus on either from the onset or during their course, for example Early Years Educator specialism within Childcare and Education T-level. After completing a T-level programme, students will have transferrable skills to use in the workplace, they may also continue their education at university or through an apprenticeship with an employer.
T-level qualifications will be offered in the following sector areas: agriculture, environmental and animal care, business and administration, catering and hospitality, childcare and education, construction, creative and design, digital, engineering and manufacturing, hair and beauty, health and science, legal, finance and accounting, protective services, sales, marketing and procurement, social care and transport and logistics.
How did they come about?
The reforms were announced by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2016 following an independent review of the further education market. Led by Lord Sainsbury, it became known as the Sainsbury Review'.
In the review, the current system was deemed outdated and confusing' and the radical overhaul of post-16 technical education began. In the autumn budget of 2017 the government announced an additional £20m to help colleges prepare for the change. This is on top of the annual £500m investment announced at the previous budget in March.
How are the new qualifications being developed?
The qualifications are being co-designed' by the Department for Education, Institute for Apprenticeships, education providers and employers. The aims are set out by the Department for Education, and the content developed by the other three parties.
The structure of the new qualifications will be different from the current system. The number of hours a student will study increases significantly from the average 540 hours offered now to approximately 1,800 hours over the two years (including the work placement).
The work placement element increases to 45 days, but can last up to 60 working days, making it much more meaningful to the student and employer. The timing of the work placement may be different depending on the qualification, some may opt for a continuous block, and others will distribute the work placement across the programme.
The core qualifications will be graded on a 6-point scale from E to A*, with A* being the highest. Occupational specialisms are awarded on a pass, merit or distinction basis.
Need more info?
The government's website, Gov.uk, has a more in-depth article about T-levels for those looking to know more, click here for details.
Newbury College is offering specific T-level talks to parents in the autumn term of 2018. Keep an eye on the events page on the website for more details!